DRDO to lead session on Electronics & Semiconductor Manufacturing at ESTIC 2025

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will lead the thematic session on ‘Electronics & Semiconductor Manufacturing’ during the ongoing Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025, underway at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. The session, which will be conducted on Wednesday, will be chaired by the Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and Chairman, DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat.

Semiconductors play a vital role in modern technology ecosystems, powering critical systems in healthcare, communications, transport, defence, and space. DRDO has made significant progress in semiconductor technology by developing indigenous methods for producing 4-inch Silicon Carbide wafers and fabricating Gallium Nitride High Electron Mobility Transistors of up to 150W, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

Advertisement

Other DRDO officials in different panel discussions include Distinguished Scientist & Director General, Micro Electronic Devices, Computational Systems & Cyber Systems, Suma Varughese; Director, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad, Dr Ramalingam Balamuralikrishnan; and Scientist-G, Solid State Physics Laboratory, Delhi, Dr Somna Mahajan.

The three-day conclave, themed ‘Viksit Bharat 2047 – Pioneering Sustainable Innovation, Technological Advancement, and Empowerment’, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 3. It is being organised jointly by 13 ministries and departments under the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

In the inaugural session, the Prime Minister launched the Rs 1 lakh-crore Research Development and Innovation Scheme Fund to promote a private sector-driven research and innovation ecosystem and accelerate India’s transformation into a global science and technology hub. He emphasised that efforts are also being made to promote research and development in the private sector.

The conclave features talks by leading scientists, panel discussions, presentations, and technology showcases, providing a platform for collaboration among researchers, industry, and young innovators to strengthen the science & technology ecosystem. As one of the key organisers, DRDO is leading the thematic session on ‘Electronics & Semiconductor Manufacturing’. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat will chair a Technical Session on Electronics & Semiconductor Manufacturing on November 5, 2025.

ESTIC 2025 is bringing together over 3,000 participants from academia, research institutions, industry, and the government, along with Nobel laureates, eminent scientists, innovators, and policymakers. Deliberations focus on 11 key areas, including Advanced Materials & Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Bio-Manufacturing, Blue Economy, Digital Communications, Electronics & Semiconductor Manufacturing, Emerging Agriculture Technologies, Energy, Environment & Climate, Health & Medical Technologies, Quantum Science & Technology, and Space Technologies.